Area D, First Floor.
The sound of dirt scraping echoed all around.
Pale blue phosphorescence spilled from the first-floor ceiling, illuminating the surroundings enclosed by faint red walls.
This was a square, open space inside the Dungeon.
Kersey and Bried stood in formation within this space, positioned behind Cass in a triangle, ready to support.
Cass aimed the unnaturally comfortable-to-hold “Wraithblade” at the enemy.
Six legs, two slender forearms with elongated segments, and massive eyes—its entirely crimson body brought ants to mind.
Unlike an ordinary ant, it was nearly as large as Cass, its slender waist supporting an upright, elevated upper body.
Most striking of all was the “Withered Tree Demon” head protruding from the center of its swaying antennae.
“Tree Spirit Parasite Ant.”
The only parasitic-type monster on the first floor.
The original consciousness of the “Earth-eating Ant” remained—a monster that typically dug through rocky walls and the ground.
Its body was protected by a sturdy carapace, and its attack power was leagues beyond low-level monsters like Goblins; half-hearted attacks would only bounce off, and even then, dealing direct damage through that armor was nearly impossible.
At the tip of its forearm legs were developed hooked claws, the twisted, curved protrusions emitting a chilling gleam.
What’s more, under the parasite’s influence of the “Withered Tree Demon,” the Earth-eating Ant’s potential was further enhanced, elevating its offensive capability to another tier.
“Uwooooo!”
“Chichichi!”
As the tree demon let out a furious roar, the ant’s mandibles clicked and chewed, producing sharp sounds.
In truth, these monsters called for allies when injured or threatened, seemingly releasing a pheromone-like substance undetectable to humans.
Except for the Maple Court Knights hidden in secluded zones, these were considered rookie-killers on the first floor.
In short, to defeat it, attack swiftly—a single blow to send it straight to heaven was best.
Cass was neither tense nor complacent, despite being in the safety range due to his level.
“Haah—!!”
Cass moved first.
He struck proactively, closing in on the Tree Spirit Parasite Ant as it raised its right arm and roared.
The enemy’s hooked claw traced a white arc through the air, slashing from Cass’s right side.
Cass was faster—he sliced through the claw and forearm in a single, swift motion.
“Chichi!!”
He circled to the Tree Spirit Parasite Ant’s left, now missing its arm, and tightened his grip on the “Wraithblade,” gathering power for the next instant.
The most common method to defeat a Tree Spirit Parasite Ant was to target the gaps in its armor and stab into the soft flesh within, or attack the parasitic tree demon directly to kill the host.
But Cass deliberately avoided this.
Facing the unguarded, wounded creature, he aimed at its remaining six legs and swept the crimson blade in a horizontal arc, splitting into six blades.
The blades pierced the gaps in the armored legs protecting the enemy.
The sensation lasted but a moment.
With a light swish, the sword withdrew, the six blades merging back into the edge, severing all of the Tree Spirit Parasite Ant’s legs.
The creature crashed to the ground with a crack.
“Uwooooo——!”
Amidst its shriek, Bried’s talent [Velocity Layering] activated—an orange glow flashed as the monster, now unable to stand, collapsed and was cleaved apart by Bried’s charge.
The Tree Spirit Parasite Ant’s head split in two, flying into the air.
The ant and tree heads spun above, their bewildered expressions turning vacant as they finally fell to the ground.
The body, decapitated, lost all strength and crumpled.
Since it was a fusion of two monsters, the Tree Spirit Parasite Ant granted double the Experience Points upon death.
Though the mechanics were unclear, in party mode, the Experience Points were split among the three present, with Bried, who secured the LA, receiving a bit more.
Pa!
Cass high-fived Bried for the umpteenth time, celebrating the kill.
“You two are amazing… I did nothing and still leveled up…”
Kersey, as if searching for something to do, collected the Crystal Core from the defeated monster.
“It’s just that our levels are higher now. When we explore deeper, Kersey, your [Priest] abilities will be crucial.”
“I hope so.”
Kersey extracted the Crystal Core as the monster’s body dissolved into dust.
Cass flicked the blade to shake off residual fluid and examined the “Wraithblade.”
The way it adhered to his palm felt like it had been with him for years, perfectly matching his hand.
Incredible—this was the weapon Siloque had crafted for him.
Even without precisely aiming at the Tree Spirit Parasite Ant’s shell gaps, and despite his level advantage, the blade sliced through its armor like butter.
“That sword suits you well, Cass.”
“Yeah, I really like it.”
Responding to Bried, Cass returned the sword to its Sword Bag.
“Where did you get it?”
“Right, I’m curious too. That night, it was too dark for me to see clearly… It’s my first time seeing a magenta sword like this.”
Rather than pink, magenta was the accurate term.
As Bried and Kersey pressed, Cass answered without hesitation:
“It was a gift from Teacher.”
“That Teacher again…”
Bried lowered her head in thought.
“He really knows a lot of places like this. The entry condition for this area is ‘knock on the wall three times while walking up the Mimic Door in the cave zone.’ Could ordinary explorers even find such a place?”
Tree Spirit Parasite Ants usually appear in groups of three or four.
But in this area, as long as you prevent them from calling allies, they emerge from the cave one by one, with intervals between appearances, making combat much easier.
Cass nodded.
“But Teacher said this farming spot would be discovered soon. While it’s available, we should farm as much as possible. More people could cause unnecessary disputes.”
“Kehm, Bried, you might not believe this, but…”
Kersey glanced at Cass, her smile brimming with the urge to show off a secret.
“?”
Ignoring Cass’s confusion, Kersey spoke to Bried with a touch of pride:
“Actually, I met Cass’s Teacher a few days ago. She’s a dignified and cool girl!”
“Huh? Really?”
Bried was clearly intrigued.
“Yeah, she and Cass helped me drive off some nasty Class C guys. She could even fight while holding me in her arms.”
“So cool… Such a just and powerful person, please tell me all about her.”
“Let me see… She was tall, smelled like roses, had beautiful long hair, slender limbs, but was very strong.”
“Strong?”
“I’m not exaggerating. She didn’t even use a weapon—she knocked those bad guys down like bowling pins.”
“No weapon? Hand-to-hand combat?”
“Mm-hmm. Her voice was a bit husky and quiet, probably because she hurt her throat fighting an Ogre. She’s hardworking… But I bet her singing voice is beautiful too.”
“I see. With martial prowess like that, I’d love to meet her someday.”
One spoke, the other believed, admiration blooming on Bried’s face.
The two delved into discussions about Teacher’s habits, friendships, and favorite foods, expanding the “Teacher” persona to new heights.
Teacher became an irresistible queen of women, a martial arts prodigy, a rock singer, a veteran gourmet reviewer, and a Granada University neurobiology PhD—a perfect, all-powerful beauty.
“Um, well, you two, Teacher’s not… not that exaggerated…”
Bried and Kersey, deep in their lively exchange, didn’t hear Cass’s plea.
His own lie was spiraling out of control, and Cass’s face darkened with each embellishment.
Siloque had only been suppressing his level at the time.
And that night, Kersey probably couldn’t even hear Siloque clearly—how did she come up with all this?!
Is this the beauty of distance?
I’m sorry, Siloque…
***
“Ah-choo!”
Is another beauty thinking of me?
No, the frequency of sneezing lately is too high.
Could I have pollen allergy?
Lost in idle thoughts, Siloque, laced up in sneakers, stepped out the entryway with Hill.
“Dad, Mom, Brother and I will be right back. Remember to save dinner for us tonight.”
Hill flashed a radiant smile, waving to their parents.
“No! Don’t! Don’t leave me! Hill! I don’t care what happens to Siloque, but I’ll do anything—don’t go to that damned Dungeon!”
“Alright, dear, Siloque is LV13, Hill is LV5, and a trip to the first floor isn’t dangerous. Please just go to work like a good man.”
“No! Ugh—!!”
Cohen used wrestler techniques to restrain Claude in a rear naked choke, pinning him to the floor.
Don’t be fooled by Claude’s desperate cries—his flushed, twisted features betrayed his true feelings.
Worried for Hill in his heart, yet physically obedient under his wife Cohen’s training.
What a contradictory man.
Or maybe just a pervert.
Siloque was speechless.
At his side, Hill smiled, “Try not to be too loud when you’re playing, okay?”
My parents are more affectionate than I realized.
They arrived at the bus stop, boarded, and reached the Dungeon Commercial District in about 15 minutes.
In the cool, air-conditioned mall, Hill, a little too pleased with herself, linked arms with Siloque, squeezing so hard he thought his arm would snap.
After much persuasion, she finally loosened her grip.
Siloque’s pure, girlish looks didn’t help—arm-in-arm, the two looked more like sisters.
Let’s buy some protective gear for my sister first.
“Hill, this isn’t a date, you know.”
“Hill knows. Hill is just happy to be out with Brother. Hill hasn’t forgotten…”
She leaned in, closing the distance until her fluttering lashes were easy to count.
“I’ll protect Brother. I won’t let Brother get hurt.”
“Um—”
Siloque quickly covered his mouth and turned away.
“Brother, what’s wrong? Hallucination Pollen Parasite Disease: Stage One?”
Hill’s expression was both playful and mature, making Siloque feel slightly overexcited.
He didn’t really want to admit it.
“It’s because Hill was too cute just now. Brother got too happy.”
“Eh?! Really? Then I’ll say it again—cough, I’ll protect Brother—”
“No need. Say it too often and it loses meaning.”
“Then I’ll say it with full emotion every time!”
“Such a fiery little sister is hard to handle…”
They teased each other as they wove through the bustling mall.
Passing by an equipment shop, Hill spotted some accessories in the display and immediately ran inside.
She chatted easily with the shop clerk, pointing to a decent set of protective gear.
It was a set of armor.
Seeing Hill’s interest, the clerk began to explain.
“It’s expensive, Brother. Maybe we should pass.”
Before long, she turned to Siloque with a troubled look.
Ah, as expected.
This was the normal shopping behavior of an explorer—hesitating over every price fluctuation, the bittersweet ritual before embarking on an expedition.
Not like Cass last time, who just bought whatever he pointed at.
The world of the rich is absurd.
Still, thanks to Cass, we managed to buy some good gear.
“Ugh.”
Siloque’s face darkened.
The power of money is frightening. Without meaning to, he found himself feeling more favorable toward Cass.
He glanced at Hill.
She was haggling with the shop clerk over a discount while picking out gear.
A shadow flickered in Siloque’s heart.
There was something that troubled him.
About the Dungeon floor strategy information, his level had recently exceeded Lv10, so it was time to test other second-cycle skills and his trump card—〈Pure Black Annihilation Ray〉.
Should he tell her about these?
If he trained Hill, allowing her to coordinate with this skill, she’d become another reliable asset in combat.
Moreover, as the story progressed, mid-game would bring Disaster Events causing many supporting character deaths.
That’s right… In this world, our family is still just side characters.
So leveling up was essential—ideally, becoming one of the relatively stronger ones.
Dungeon strategy knowledge was also vital on a national level.
Being honest with Hill involved risks, of course.
But if I want to protect those important to me in this world…
Ultimately, it’s better to share information with Hill.
That was his original intention.
If something happened to his plans, having Hill would at least provide backup.
“…Hm?”
Deep in thought, Siloque suddenly realized that the armguard Hill was toying with looked strangely familiar.